Aggies and Bearkats Split Doubleheader

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Texas A&M softball team split games with Sam Houston State in a midweek doubleheader, Tuesday at the Aggie Softball Complex. The Bearkats took a 2-1 victory in game one, and the Aggies retaliated in game two with a 5-3 win.

The Bearkats pounced on a first-inning opportunity in game one, sending two runners home on an RBI double for the 2-0 lead. Only one run was earned, as the leadoff runner reached on a fielding error.

Despite putting two runners on base with a pair of base hits through the first four frames, the Aggies’ only response to the SHSU surge was a lone run scored in the bottom of the fifth. Senior Kaydee Rayburn plated senior Taran Tyler on the play with a single through the left side. Tyler reached on a base hit and moved to third on a double by sophomore Breanna Dozier.

Senior Amber Garza, senior Nicole Morgan and junior Brittany Clopton each reached on base hits, but weren’t able to even the score and the Bearkats took game one, 2-1.

Redshirt junior Rachel Fox threw six complete innings, giving up one earned run on six hits, while walking two and striking out three. Junior Lauren Ainsley closed the game with two groundouts and a strikeout.

The Aggies rallied in the locker room between games and came out with fiery bats in game two, scoring all five runs in the first inning. A leadoff single by senior Emily Albus and hit-by-pitches by freshman April Ryan and sophomore Cali Lanphear loaded the bags in time for a bases-clearing double by Garza.

The senior moved to third on a groundout before crossing the plate on an illegal pitch for the 4-0 lead. With senior Cassie Tysarczyk (pronounced Tie-SARR-chick) – who drew a walk – on first, freshman Reagan Boenker (pronounced BUNK-er) narrowly missed her first home run of the fall when she tripled off the wall in left-center for Tysarczyk to score the 5-0 run.

A three-run fourth inning by the Bearkats brought Sam Houston State back into the ballgame, but the rally wasn’t enough and the Aggies tied the series with a 5-3 game-two win.

Albus was 3-for-4 in game three with three infield singles, including a bunt. Dozier reached twice on a pair of walks and Tysarczyk reached three times on a fielder’s choice and two base hits. Boenker was 2-for-3 with a triple and one RBI.

Sophomore transfer Katie Marks started the game in the circle for Texas A&M, allowing three earned runs on six hits while striking out four through four innings of work. Freshman Abby Donnell (pronounced Don-ELL) tossed two innings of relief, hitting one batter and striking out one while allowing one hit. Ainsley again closed the game, striking out one and giving up a hit in her seventh-inning effort.

The Aggies host Blinn in a Thursday twin bill, with game one slated for 4 p.m. and game two set for 6 p.m. Both contests are free to the public and will be broadcast on 95.1-3 The Zone HD, making them available worldwide on any HD Radio, smartphone or computer. Go to RadioAggieland.com to download the app or listen online.

To learn more about Texas A&M softball, log on to AggieAthletics.com and follow @AggieSoftball on Twitter.